BJJ Beginner FAQ

[started 20/07/2008, last update 09/07/2009
All content copyright ©2006-2009 by Can Sönmez]

CONTENTS

Introduction
- What should I look for in a good school?
- Where can I find a school in my area?
- How should I approach class?
- What happens in the average BJJ class?
- Where can I find some decent BJJ advice on the net?
- Wow, BJJ is expensive! I'm not sure I can afford it.
- Can I learn BJJ from videos/DVDs/books?
- I'm a woman: is BJJ right for me?
- Is BJJ suitable for children?
- Am I too old for BJJ?
- Where can I find a good gi?
- What size gi should I buy?
- How should I wash my gi?
- Are there any restrictions on what kind of gi I can wear?
- What is the difference between gi and nogi?
- How long should I wait before competing?
- How often should I train BJJ, as a beginner?
- Is BJJ just a sport, or will it teach me self-defence?
- I want self defence against multiple opponents: will BJJ help me?
- What is the difference between Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
- What is the difference between Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
- What is the difference between Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
- What is the difference between SAMBO and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
- I'm out of shape: should I get fitter before starting?
- Will getting stronger help my BJJ?
- I get tired quickly when sparring: what can I do?
- I'm frustrated with my lack of progress: how can I overcome this?
- What books and/or DVDs would you recommend for a beginner?
- What are the belt ranks in BJJ?
- Why do some belts have stripes?
- How do I get a blue belt?
- How long will it take me to get a black belt?
- I feel like I don't deserve my new belt: is that normal?
- I've injured myself, but don't want to stop training: should I go to class?
- I'm worried about getting cauliflower ear: how do I avoid it?
- What are staph infections, and how can I avoid them?
- I find it tough against bigger people: what should I do?
- I'm big: how should I approach training?
- What if I have long hair, jewellery or piercings?
- What is a good style to cross-train with BJJ?
- I'm planning a trip to go train in Brazil: any advice?
- Should I use 'dirty' (but still legal) tactics in class?
Sources


Introduction: If you've ever been in Bullshido's Newbietown subforum, you'll recognise a lot of these. I have a text file I often copy and paste in response to common questions, so its about time I consolidated all that here. As with all my articles, this FAQ (on the off chance you don't know what that stands for: Frequently Asked Questions) will be a work in progress, so if anyone has other good BJJ beginner questions they'd like answered, stick up a comment and I'll see if I can help.

If you're wondering about my experience (full background here), I've been training since November 2006 and got my blue belt in February 2008. While I still have a lot to learn myself, hopefully I've now learned enough that I can offer some help to those just starting out.

Also, please let me know if there are any broken links: they should all be working at the time of writing, but always difficult to keep track of changes to external websites.

What should I look for in a good school? ^

First of all, I'd recommend you take a look at the Bullshido FAQ on finding a good martial arts school. In general, signs to look for are a competitive record, regular heavy contact sparring and 'aliveness' (basically, progressive resistance. If you're unfamiliar with the term, Matt Thornton has a long article on the topic describing what it is and why it's important: he is the man most associated with popularising the concept). Those don't tend to be a problem with BJJ, but it would be a concern if any of those were absent.

It would also be worth taking a look at who gave the instructor their belt. Generally BJJers are proud of their rank and will be more than happy to tell you where they got it from: after all, it takes a long time to get anywhere in the sport, so people rightly see it as an achievement when they get into the higher belts. Instructors will normally be at least a purple, but there are a fair few blue belts teaching as well: again, it takes a long time to get anywhere, so there are certainly blue belts out there with a great deal of experience and plenty to offer to beginners.

If the lineage isn't clearly listed on the school website, that would be unusual, and may be worth looking into further. For example, you'll normally see some kind of affiliation, like Gracie Barra, Carlson Gracie, Alliance, Brasa, Royce Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Roy Harris etc, and then the specific details in the instructor biography. For example, a Gracie Barra site might well state that the instructor got their black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr, sometimes with a picture.

You'll also want to check that the class times fit with your schedule. Bigger schools will have lots of options – for example, I train at the Roger Gracie Academy, which offers classes every day except Sunday. That gives the students a lot of flexibility. Smaller schools may not be able to offer quite that many sessions, so check which days they have classes.

Cost is another important consideration. Often this is done on a monthly basis, sometimes with different payment schemes depending on how many times a week you want to train – for example, Gracie Barra Birmingham has options for two and three times a week, along with a price for unlimited classes. With all those class options, a big school may also have a big price tag. If you're getting instruction from a top black belt in a large city, that could be up into three figures: both Roger Gracie's in London and Renzo Gracie's in New York would fit that description. You're going to get excellent training for the price, but it’s a significant financial commitment.

If the price is too high, don't worry: you can find cheaper ways to train. I've got a few suggestions here.

Once you've decided on a school to try out, they often have a trial class in order to give you a chance to see if you like the place. That should give you the opportunity to chat to the instructor about any concerns you might have, and they'll most likely also bring up payment options after your intro (e.g., that's the way it works at Roger Gracie's, and I think Renzo's too).

Also, while it may seem like a minor point, check the mats are clean. Hygiene is important. There are numerous dangerous infections that can be problematic in close contact grappling sports like BJJ, wrestling etc (you may have heard of staph, MRSA, ringworm etc). Dirty mats greatly increase your chances of catching something unpleasant.

Where can I find a school in my area? ^

There are several school databases you could try:

TrainJiuJitsu.com
Gym Database (BJJ, MMA etc)
UK BJJ Map

Other custom maps on Google cover Pittsburgh (by a guy who posts as Frodo on various MA websites, like Sherdog), San Diego (by Caleb, from the Fightworks Podcast), Florida (by some guy listed as 'Gary') and finally there's this big one simply called 'Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gyms' by somebody posting as 'Misho', which as far as I can tell is a whole load of places around the US rather than a specific state.

You could also try forums like the European Fight Network and Bullshido, or organisations like Gracie Barra (though that of course is limited to Gracie Barra affiliated clubs). For Asia, see here.

How should I approach class as a beginner? ^

Here are my top five tips:

1. Relax

The biggest mistake most new people make is treating every spar as life or death, clinging on desperately trying not to 'lose', or using as much muscle as possible so they can 'win'. Save 'winning' or 'losing' for competition: in class, just concentrate on improving your technique. Doesn't matter if you get tapped along the way.

It also helps to avoid injury: if you're so focused on 'not losing' that you don't tap, you're liable to hurt yourself. Relax, tap and start again, instead of holding out until something breaks, putting you out of training for weeks, months or even years.

2. Ask questions

Don't be afraid to talk to people. If you're confused by something in drilling, find the instructor and ask them to help you out: after all, you're paying them to teach you. Similarly, after sparring, if you don't understand what you did wrong, ask your partner. They're in a great position to tell you.

3. Find a good training partner

Following on from the previous point, if you find somebody is particularly helpful in drilling, provides useful advice after sparring, and/or generally stays controlled and technical when rolling etc, stick with them. Good training partners will have a hugely positive effect on your progress.

Of course, a good training partner will normally be more experienced than you: someone who spouts off without knowing what they're talking about becomes irritating rather than helpful. Having said that, it is possible to learn from anyone, so don't be close-minded.

4. Maintain good hygiene

I can't emphasise this enough. Not only is it extremely skanky to train with an unwashed gi, its also dangerous. There are lots of nasty bacteria waiting to jump all over your skin in sweaty grappling sports, and infections can even be fatal (MRSA, staph etc).

Stay safe by taking a shower after training, then wash your gi once you get home. I would advise owning more than one gi, meaning that you can wash your gi after every session you train. No-one wants to train with the stinky guy/girl, and if you come in with infections (be that fungal, like ringworm, or the really dangerous stuff mentioned earlier), you're quickly going to become very unpopular.

Also, be sure to keep your nails short. Otherwise, you're liable to cut people, which again is not going to impress your training partners.

5. Keep training

BJJ is a difficult sport, and that means there is a high turnover of white belts. Lots of people start, get frustrated, then quit. Accept that the first few months are going to involve a lot of you getting squashed under somebody else. Stay consistent, and eventually you'll get the hang of things.

What happens in the average BJJ class? ^

I started BJJ at the Roger Gracie Academy, where classes normally break down like this (see my BJJ glossary if you don't understand the terminology):

1. Warm-up

Normally running round the room, with variations like knees up, heels up, sprints, circling the arms etc. That will generally be followed by breakfalls and shrimping, after which there is sometimes a two-man exercise (such as fireman’s carry, throws up and down the room, running while one person holds the other’s belt etc).

2. Technique

The instructor will show between one to three techniques, which we'll then drill. Often this will begin with a throw, then a few groundwork techniques. The whole week is often geared around similar techniques: for example, in my first week, I attended three sessions, all of which focused on a standing guard pass and a sweep.

3. Specific sparring

By that, I mean the sparring is started from a particular position, such as from guard, with a predetermined purpose, such as passing the guard, after which the spar restarts. This occasionally goes from standing, so working throws, single leg takedowns etc. The beginners class will then go straight to a warm down and finish, meaning the whole beginners class lasts an hour in total. Full details of all the beginners classes I've attended here.

4. Free sparring

The advanced class (details of those here) is half an hour longer, which is made up of free sparring. You start on your knees (too many people to go from standing, as that could easily lead to people getting thrown into other groups in the midst of a spar). That is normally split into five minute rounds.

5. Warm down

Both classes have a warm down, which tends to just be stretching, but sometimes the instructor will make it a bit more active and do some more star-jumps, tuck-jumps etc.

I'd advise bringing along a bottle of water to avoid dehydration. There will generally be points during class at which you can go quickly have a drink, such as just before the sparring starts, or if you're sitting out a round of free sparring.

Where can I find some decent BJJ advice on the net? ^

There is a list of threads I always post up in response to that question on Bullshido. I'd especially recommend the first one, as that has been of huge benefit to me personally: I read it before I started training, and its effectively become my blueprint for how to approach class:

Training, Stagnation and Tapping
Maximizing what you get out of rolling
Protecting Yourself During Sparring
Grappling Basic Principles
Advice for Noobs
First Day Lesson
Fundamental 5
Obvious Epiphanies

And the following articles:

Starting BJJ Classes
Nuggets of Advice
Journey to Blue Belt
Getting Started

Stephan Kesting, who runs the excellent Grapplearts site, has now set up a new resource specifically for beginners. Beginning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a free e-course, where he sends you an email every few days, along with a free e-book. Looks helpful so far.

Finally, here are a few more you might find useful once you've read the others:

Learning Guard: Recommended Progression?
Full/closed guard for the smaller guy
Leg Locks = White Belt Forever?

Wow, BJJ is expensive! I'm not sure I can afford it. ^

Yes, BJJ is often pretty pricey. It can be off-putting, but keep in mind that BJJ is still young, internationally speaking. Once there are more quality instructors available and the supply therefore rises to meet demand, prices will drop. To see this in action, go to Brazil: you should notice a significant decrease in cost, because BJJ has been there since 1925.

If you are concerned about cost, don't worry: there are several options open to you. First, as BJJ is growing rapidly, there may be some less expensive schools in your area. If you're in a big city, especially in the US, then that’s a distinct possibility, so have a look around to see what's available.

Secondly, it may be that the school has several payment options, with costs per class reducing the more often you train. For example, there may be monthly options for twice a week, three times a week etc. You might also be able to pay per class, though sometimes that is the most expensive option (again, depending how much you are able to train).

Thirdly, see if there are any schools headed up by a lower belt. Purples and browns may not be black belts, but unless you happen to be a purple or brown yourself, then that doesn't matter too much. Even if you are, there are examples of lower belts actually teaching their students to a higher rank than themselves: e.g., Darren Currie is well known for this, though its certainly rare.

Finally, don't forget about other grappling styles. If BJJ proves to be out of your price range at the moment, then judo is an excellent substitute. You won't normally get the same amount of groundwork, but a good judo school will split their time equally between tachiwaza (throws) – the main strength of judo – and groundwork (newaza). Judo is the parent art of BJJ, so there is a great deal of cross-over between the two styles (see here for more on the links between the two styles). Most importantly for the question of cost, judo tends to be both much cheaper and far more widely available than its Brazilian descendant.

Judo isn't the only possibility. There is also wrestling (if you're in the US and in education, then I would urge you to join the wrestling team: it will be of huge benefit if you later start BJJ) and SAMBO, both of which I'd also be happy to recommend to somebody looking for an alternative to BJJ. If you have the time, its also not a bad idea to cross-train in both BJJ and a style like judo, wrestling or SAMBO, as those three arts all have great takedowns. BJJ does include throws, but not to the level of judo, wrestling or SAMBO (for more on SAMBO, see here).

You could also try taking off the gi (sparring without the gi is known as nogi, which some BJJ schools offer) and looking into submission wrestling. This has grown with the advent of MMA, and again tends to be a little less expensive than BJJ. Also, you obviously won't need to buy a gi, which could also help with the cost.

A slightly different option would be a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym (though technically MMA is a ruleset rather than a specific style), which combines grappling with striking. The few classes I've attended were only £5 a session, though that was some years ago. Examples of well known MMA gyms would be Team Quest and Miletich Fighting Systems.

Can I learn BJJ from videos/books/DVDs? ^

Books/videos etc are supposed to supplement training, not form its basis - especially for beginners, its essential to have an instructor physically present. Unlike a DVD/book/video, they can correct your mistakes (which otherwise you'll continue making and thereby entrain bad habits) and modify their advice depending on your particular situation: bodytype, experience, strength etc. Not to mention you could potentially injure yourself and/or others if there isn't an experienced eye supervising.

That isn't to say DVDs/videos etc are useless, but I find they work best when you're refining what you already know. For example, say you can't quite remember how that scissor sweep went last night in class, YouTube might well have something to jog your memory. However, even when going down that route, your instructor (or failing that, a senior student who's willing to help out) should always be your first port of call. That's both for the reasons above and the fact that you're paying them to teach you, so it would make sense to get the most out of your investment.

Once you've begun training under a reputable instructor and are looking for supplemental material, see here for my suggestions.

I'm a woman: is BJJ right for me? ^

BJJ is an excellent choice for women. In terms of self-defence, BJJ is perfect from a female perspective, as it deals with the unfortunately common self-defence situation of rape: BJJ features a lot of attacks and defences when someone is in between your legs. It is also a martial art which was designed for a smaller person to overcome a larger one, which again has clear applications for women's self-defence.

However, while BJJ covers the ground in thorough detail, it is worth noting that it does not deal with strikes. For the complete picture, you may want to cross-train in something like boxing or muay thai (further thoughts on self-defence here).

In terms of sport, BJJ is a great work-out (see the Fightworks Podcast for a good discussion, along with this story of a 42 year old mother of two), and far more interesting than running on a treadmill at the gym. Fitness is one of my big reasons for training in BJJ, as I found the gym a little dull. BJJ keeps me interested, because it’s a complex sport: there's always something new to learn.

As I'm one of the smallest guys where I train, my most regular training partners are women. For the same reason, when it comes to free sparring, if there's a woman on the mat, she'll be the person I pick to roll with. There's one woman in particular, Christina (you'll see her mentioned frequently on my blog) who is an awesome training partner, so I make sure to seek her out when she's in class (which is normally pretty often). I'm fortunate in that the Roger Gracie Academy has a decent number of women, so I normally get to roll with at least one each class, sometimes as many as three or four.

It is true that comparatively speaking, there aren't many women in the sport at present, so its likely you will have to spar with men. However, I don't think that’s a cause for concern: in my experience, the women at RGA have no trouble training with the men, particularly when the man in question is a small guy like myself.

Then there are inspiring examples like Penny Thomas: she has both competed and won against men, earning a silver medal in the men's brown belt division at the 2007 Triple Crown. You can see from her website that she is not a hulking mound of muscle: she won through technique. The idea that women are somehow "inferior" to men in BJJ (or indeed anything else based on skill) is utterly ridiculous, as Thomas has convincingly demonstrated.

If you're training for self-defence, then it also makes sense to train with somebody whose bodytype is more likely to match your typical attacker: a large male. That option is open to you in a BJJ class, where training partners tend to be helpful and happy to give out advice. On a practical note, you may find this useful if you have long hair.

I would love to see more women in the sport, so I hope you'll decide to check it out. There are even women only classes available in some places, like kimonogirl in Toronto and Gracie Barra America, though as I said, I don't think you should have a problem training in a mixed class.

If you need some inspiration, you could read what some other women BJJers have written. Take a look at these blogs by Georgette (check out her female-specific gi reviews), Elyse (who also has a useful post on buying a gi as a woman), Leslie (awesome post on training BJJ as a woman here), Cailín, Felicia, Meg (her in-depth Koral gi review for women here), Jem, Indra and Val.

You could also listen to this episode of the Fightworks Podcast, all about women. Then there's this interview with the aforementioned Felicia Oh. There is also further reading on the excellent Grapplearts website, here and here, along with this post from Jits Happens.

To finish, here's a vid of some of the women at kimonogirl talking about what BJJ means to them:


I'm looking for a martial art for my daughter/son: is BJJ suitable for children? ^

Yes, BJJ is suitable for children. For example, here in the UK there is a fantastic instructor of children, Felipe Souza. I had the pleasure of being taught by him for a while at RGA, and I also got the chance to watch him teach the kids class, as I often arrive early. Felipe manages a good balance of games to keep the younger kids interested, along with enough discipline to stop things getting out of hand. I've trained with several of the kids who have been brought through the system, and been suitably impressed by their skills.

Felipe opened up his own academy during 2008, in Battersea and Willesden, having given years of good service to RGA. I can unreservedly recommend his instruction for your children (or indeed yourself, as his instruction of adults is equally good), if you live in London and find his academy's location convenient.

Judo would also be a good choice for your child. Be sure to take a look at the Bullshido FAQ on choosing a martial art - there's a section there on children, from which I'll quote (there's plenty more relevant material in the article itself):

It must be understood that there is a significant psychological difference between striking and grappling for a young child. Striking implies far more violence and anger; and the immediate emotional response to being struck will vary greatly from child to child. Striking is something that a child learns to do out of anger long before they learn to walk or talk. Striking is a primal, animal reaction to a negative stimulus, and as such will require far more emotional maturity before it can be instructed properly. Getting hit pretty much always hurts, whereas grappling tends only to hurt when a mistake is made. Pain avoidance is the average American child’s primary subconscious drive. If something hurts, most children under 10 will avoid it at all costs.

Young children adjust to grappling long before they can adapt psychologically to striking. Children invariably begin wrestling without the guidance of adults as a recreational activity anyway, so providing technique and structure for it is a fairly natural progression. For very young children (under 10) grappling styles are learned most easily and create a solid base in the most prevalent ranges of combat. For a video of young children learning how to grapple please see:

Then there's this article on 'aliveness' and kids.

Finally, check out Bullshido.com for more info on judo and BJJ.

Am I too old for BJJ? ^

No: whatever age you are, its not too old for BJJ. My favourite example when it comes to this question is Tony Penny. He started training at RGA when in his eighties, earning his blue belt in 2007. So while it's a cliché, it really never is too late to start.

There's also a good thread with discussion of training in your later years (especially how to cope with injury, arthritis etc) here.

You could also check out the Roy Harris instructional BJJ Over 40 (for more thoughts on that DVD, see Bullshido)

Where can I find a good gi? ^

This is a really common question, and there are a lot of different options. Personally, I would recommend Padilla & Sons: see my review here. They're cheap, high quality, and Joe Padilla provides fantastic customer service.

In the UK, I'd suggest trying Black Eagle, which like Padilla are good quality but also inexpensive (although unlike Padilla, I don't have personal experience, but this is what my training partners tell me).

Buying from Black Eagle also means - for those of us in the UK - that you don't have to deal with high shipping costs or the possibility of being hit with customs and tax. Most gi companies are based in the US or Brazil, so the Hampshire-based Black Eagle is a useful exception for the UK market. They also do plenty of other martial arts equipment.

I often hear good things about Fuji and HCK, which like Padilla are both inexpensive. HCK also has the advantage that you can buy different size trousers from the jacket, which is useful if you're tall for your weight.

Another option is to get a judo gi. My first gi was a basic Blitz judogi, which cost me £20 through the university judo club. I'm still wearing it now to BJJ class. I also recently picked up a cheap one from Black Eagle (£26.95, last time I checked).

At the more expensive end of the market, there are brands like Koral. Again speaking personally, I wouldn't want to pay that much for a gi, as I think manufacturers like Padilla offer comparable quality at a vastly decreased price. However, that's not to say a pricey Koral gi is bad: if you can afford it, then from all reports, they're excellent. For those in that fortunate position of not worrying about cost, I'd suggest you check out Lucky Gis – very high quality, with a price tag to match. You could also look into ultra-light gis, like Vulkan.

If you're a woman, there are various manufacturers who produce gis with gender in mind. For some reviews, check out Georgette's long post, where she looks at four of her seven gis. For further in-depth advice on buying a female-specific gi, read Elyse's helpful post.

What size gi should I buy? ^

Sizes can vary depending on manufacturer, though normally they are called things like 'A1', 'A2' etc. Personally, I wear an A2 Padilla & Sons, and I'm 5'7 and 143lbs. There will normally be a sizing chart which lists A1, A2 etc, then a corresponding range of height and weight: for example, on Padilla & Sons, A2 is intended for people between 5'6" - 5'9" and from 140- 165 lbs.

If you are especially tall or short for your weight, that may mean that the trousers could be too long or not long enough. Some places let you buy different size trousers to the jacket for this reason, like HCK.

Best thing to do is email the manufacturer and ask them. In my experience, Joe Padilla from Padilla & Sons provides excellent customer service, and will advise you on what size gi to buy if you drop him a line

Also worth noting that most gis need to be shrunk to fit: i.e., either in a hot wash, putting them in a spin-drier until they've shrunk to your size, or both. Again going by the Padilla ones I've bought, the single weave is currently a pretty good fit after three washes (30 degrees celsius) and 30 minutes of spin-drying on a low heat setting. Note that it is important you don't spin dry your gi unless you're trying to shrink it, as spin drying can cause damage and shorten the lifespan of your gi.

How should I wash my gi? ^

Once you've bought your gi, be careful: if you stick it in the drier or on a hot wash, its liable to shrink, as they're normally 100% cotton. Often you'll need to shrink them the first time (some come pre-shrunk, but I've had to shrink all of mine), but after that, avoid putting them in a hot wash and definitely don't put them in the spin drier. Wash them at 30 degrees or less, then hang to dry. For this reason, its sensible to have several gis you can cycle between.

If you'd like further information on washing the gi, see Steve's excellent post on the topic.

Are there any restrictions on what kind of gi I can wear? ^

As a general rule, you should wear a gi designed for grappling, like a judo or BJJ gi. If you wore a karate gi or taekwondo dobok, it would probably rip, because they are not designed for the kind of stress a lesson of BJJ or judo puts on a gi.

For example, your gi will be called upon to support your entire bodyweight at various points, such as during throws. You'll also have people pulling on the fabric as hard they can, attempting to release your grips, control your limbs, choke you with the collars etc.

I'm not sure there is a rule against wearing other types of gi, but even if not, it would be inadvisable to do so due to the durability issue.

Some competitions will only allow certain colours of gi, but many don't care, so you can happily wander in wearing pink, camo, green etc. The same goes for schools. However, in both cases, you should check with the organiser or instructor in case there are limits.

You should also be aware that if you're going to wear a gi that makes you stand out, you may well get more attention when the time comes to spar. This is why some people wait until they feel confident in their skills before wearing a particularly flashy gi. See this thread for a related discussion.

Of course, as long as you keep within any regulations a particular tournament or club might have, there is no reason you can't wear whatever you want.

The same applies to patches, although there are some restrictions under IBJJF rules. On the official website, there is a drawing of acceptable patch placement.


In terms of the actual cut, BJJ is not as strict as judo on things like sleeve length etc, but again, it is worth checking with the specific tournament or club. I personally have never had any problems, and I wear both a judo and a BJJ gi. Of course, I've only ever competed once so far, and only in the UK.

What is the difference between gi and nogi? ^

Simply put, gi training involves wearing a heavy cotton jacket and trousers, while nogi (also written as no-gi and no gi) is normally done in a combination of a rash guard or t-shirt with shorts or gi trousers.

The main difference I find between rolling with a gi and without is that for the former, its possible to slow things down, meaning that the spar tends to be more about technique rather than strength or speed. Physical attributes come into it a lot more with no-gi: though they’re certainly not absent in the gi, they can at least be negated to a certain extent by all the handles a gi provides. No gi is normally also, therefore, faster paced than gi.

So, as a small, fairly passive guy, I prefer gi. Though no gi is nice for a change, and means my fingers have a chance to recover from all the gripping. I’m not sure whether one or the other helps with skill development, though I’d lean towards the gi due to - in my experience at least - the lesser impact of strength and speed, meaning technique becomes more important.

Of course, I'm much more used to the gi and its what I started with. Most of this blog is therefore about gi training, though I do have some nogi entries here. I've also often rolled nogi at throwdowns.

When should I compete? ^

In my experience, you can enter a tournament as soon as you want. If you're unsure, ask your instructor: most of the time they'll encourage you to go for it, whatever level you're at. Competition is a big part of BJJ, though its certainly not obligatory: many people choose not to compete.

However, it is worth trying at least once, as its very different from sparring in class. I would say that competing is probably the best way to gauge your current level in BJJ, as unlike class, a competition guarantees that your opponent will be trying their hardest to prevent you applying your technique. In class, that may not be the case, for a whole bunch of reasons: your partner may have just come back from an injury, perhaps they want to work a specific position, maybe they're going light because they're much stronger than you, etc.

Indeed, I'd find it detrimental to approach training with a 'win/lose' mentality outside of competition: far better to focus on improving technique. If you get tapped along the way, or tap someone else, doesn't matter.

For some good advice on preparing for a competition, see The Jiu-Jitsu Brotherhood, an excellent blog well worth your time.

How often should I train, as a beginner? ^

How many days you train depends mainly on three things: time, money and fitness. Most people would advise at least twice a week if possible, but even that can be difficult depending on your job, family commitments, university/school coursework, financial situation etc.

The timetable of your school is obviously also a major factor: if there are only two or three classes on offer a week, that makes your decision for you, but at a large school like the Roger Gracie Academy, there is training available every day except Sunday. When you're first looking for a school, the frequency of classes - especially how they fit around your own schedule - should be a major factor in your decision, assuming you have a choice of several places to train.

If like me your time is limited, make sure you get quality, as you can't have quantity. Take copious notes, make a concerted effort to really concentrate when your instructor is showing technique, and ask as many questions as possible.

If you're fortunate enough that time isn't a problem, then I'd suggest three or four classes, giving your body the chance to rest at some point during the week. Consistency is the key, so it would be better to have a smaller number of classes that you make every week, rather than bursts of intense training split up by long gaps.

Particularly when you're just starting out, its easy to overtrain due to enthusiasm (remember to relax): that will be detrimental in the long run. You need to let your body get used to the level of exercise, especially if you haven't done comparably intense physical activity before on a regular basis.

Having said that, I can think of several training partners at my academy who train every day the gym is open. Generally they're very fit and have a lot of free time, or shifts at work that match the school timetable. So it is certainly possible to train basically all the time, but take good care of your body if that's the route you want to go down. Get plenty of sleep, eat a good diet and don't try to train through injuries.

Is BJJ just a sport, or will it teach me self-defence? ^

Being a sport does not mean its ineffective.

The "just a sport" argument is a common accusation levelled against certain combat sports (judo gets this criticism too sometimes), and a rather ignorant one at that. Taking part in competition (a defining characteristic of a sport) does not automatically mean a style is no good for self-defence. It merely means that its possible to use the techniques of that style in a regulated environment, which conversely can result in people who are capable of defending themselves using those same techniques, presuming its trained with 'aliveness' (in short, progressive resistance: if you're not familiar with the term, read this).

Certain people place great stock in statements like "that's just a sport, whereas MY martial art is far too deadly for competition". What they really mean is that they never train their techniques under pressure, and therefore lack any verification that what they're learning or teaching actually works. In a sport like BJJ, you immediately get feedback on what works and what does not, because you spar against full resistance.

Of course, BJJ is not the complete picture: its great for when you find yourself on the ground ("95% of real fights go to the ground" is frequently quoted as a statistic, and while I doubt its that high a percentage, events like the early UFCs demonstrated that its certainly a distinct possibility that even if both people involved don't know any grappling, the fight will often end up on the ground), but doesn't cover things like striking.

If you are looking for realistic self-defence, you should also train in a stand-up style, such as boxing or muay thai. Judo would be another good option, as throws translate well to a self-defence situation. I personally don't train for self-defence, but I'm certain that if I ever found myself in an altercation, I would fare better having learned BJJ than without.

See also this article on a similar topic.

I want self defence against multiple opponents: will BJJ help me? ^

To answer this one, I'll turn to the Bullshido FAQ:

There is no evidence that striking is any safer than grappling when fighting multiple opponents. Fighting several attackers is a losing proposition for anyone, grappler or striker. It's not impossible but it is very unlikely. People who think they can fight multiple people without getting seriously hurt tend to have watched a few too many kung fu movies.

The best defence in this situation is to run away. The second best defence is to have a weapon (or three).

Grappling and ground-fighting skills are essential in a multiple opponent scenario with weapons involved. Put simply put you need grappling/groundfighting skills to utilize a weapon effectively when escape is not an option.

A weapon is not a magic wand. It often requires time or multiple successful attacks to remove an attacker from the fight. In the meantime dog-pack tactics are likely to be employed against you. A multiple opponent scenario where escape and evasion is not possible is by definition "close quarters".

To escape from a clinch, takedown, tackle, or pin requires personal understanding of how it is executed. It may take minutes for an attacker who has been stabbed to cease all resistance, and a bludgeoned opponent may collapse on you or pass out with a death grip on parts of your anatomy.

No part of a multiple opponent scenario is pleasant to contemplate, but whether you can run or must fight, the grappling and groundfighting skill-sets are essential if you want to live through a bad situation. Hopefully you won’t have to use them, but they are critical insurance when things go pear-shaped.

Roy Dean also has an interesting post on the topic at his blog.

What is the difference between Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? ^

Mostly marketing. Rorion Gracie trademarked the name 'Gracie Jiu Jitsu' in 1989, having begun teaching in the United States during the late seventies. This would result in litigation against other members of his family teaching the sport. Carley Gracie in particular got into a legal tangle: you can read the proceedings here (as far as I understand it, the trademark is no longer valid, but I'm no lawyer so could be misreading the court documents). The end result is that people started using different names, like Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and most commonly, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In Brazil, its just referred to as 'jiu jitsu'.

There have also been claims, again mostly from Rorion and the Gracie Academy, that Gracie Jiu Jitsu is self-defence, whereas Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is just a sport. I've never trained at the Gracie Academy, so I can't comment on that specifically. My response to the general question of sport versus self-defence is here.

However, you could have a read of Yrkoon9's post for one opinion on GJJ versus BJJ. For another, take a look at this EFN thread. Rob T's story of how he used BJJ in a self-defence situation is also worth a read.

Further emphasising that 'sport' vs 'self defence' division is the Gracie University online training, launched in early 2009. This is a continuation of Gracie Combatives, where it will eventually be possible to not only get a 'Gracie Combatives blue belt', but ranks all the way up to black. Even more controversially, you'll be able to test for these belts via video (paying $85 for the privilege, each and every belt and stripe requiring more money), without ever stepping foot inside a BJJ school. Again, I haven't trained at the Gracie Academy or paid for the Gracie University training, so can't make a final judgement, but I posted up some thoughts on Bullshido.

What is the difference between Japanese Jiu Jitsu/Traditional Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? ^

The short answer: JJJ/TJJ is often more compliant than BJJ, as it doesn't always include sparring against fully resistant opponents. Therefore BJJ is normally a safer bet if you are looking for quality groundwork, but JJJ/TJJ covers a lot of schools, so its tough to generalise.

The long answer:

'Jiu Jitsu' (which has a number of variant spellings, most commonly 'jujitsu','ju-jitsu' and 'jujutsu') originated in Japan, the clearest date being 1532AD, when Takenouchi Hisamori founded his Takenouchi 'ryu' (the Japanese term for 'school'), apparently based upon sumo (the national sport of Japan, which has a long history as a martial art). For more, see my historical summary.

As ever with history, particularly martial arts history (where there is sometimes a perceived need to present a martial art as 'ancient'), the exact date is contentious. You'll see people talking about the samurai using jiu-jitsu on the battlefield, while others like to claim jiu-jitsu traces its lineage back to China. To further confuse you, many 'Japanese Jiu Jitsu' (JJJ) and 'Traditional Jiu Jitsu' (TJJ) schools have only emerged in the last few decades, founded by people in places like the UK, US and Australia.

That was especially the case after martial arts really started to take off in the West in the 1970s, thanks to Bruce Lee and the kung fu film industry his career largely helped to popularise. You also had a number of servicemen in the 1950s and 1960s who learned jiu-jitsu while on duty overseas, then brought back what they had been taught, sometimes giving it a new name. So in short, if you see a school with jiu-jitsu/jujitsu etc in the title, don't assume its directly from the misty Japanese past.

Having said all that, I would advise you don't get too caught up in the history. It is interesting to study from an academic perspective, but it has little impact on the practicality of any particular martial art. What is most important is the training methodology, which is where most schools under the broad terms 'Japanese Jiu Jitsu' and 'Traditional Jiu Jitsu' differ from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Many JJJ/TJJ schools do not train with what's called 'aliveness' (basically, progressive resistance working up to full-contact: read this for a comprehensive introduction), unlike BJJ. Instead, they will use compliant drills, or focus on kata (a pre-arranged set of movements). BJJ, on the other hand, is focused on sparring, meaning that you are actively testing your technique on a fully resisting opponent.

However, I should note that TJJ/JJJ covers a huge array of schools, so there is considerable variation: some don't train all that differently from BJJ (Carlos Newton, a successful UFC competitor, has a background in something called 'Canadian Jiu Jitsu', which certainly seemed to work pretty well for him in the octagon), while others never spar and are more interested in historical recreation (not that there's anything wrong with that, unless the style makes claims for efficacy). TJJ/JJJ also often includes striking, something absent in BJJ, although if the striking is trained without progressive resistance, then its not too useful.

Given all this variation, its difficult to generalise, but I'd normally recommend BJJ above TJJ/JJJ for those who want to learn how to fight effectively on the ground. As ever, the only way to be sure is to check out a class and see what you think: if the TJJ/JJJ school spars regularly with a decent level of contact, teaching technique with progressive resistance, then it may well be a good place to train.

What is the difference between Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? ^

The short answer is that judo is great on throws, less good on groundwork, while BJJ is great on groundwork, not so good on throws. Judo also tends to be cheaper and easier to find.

The long answer:

Judo was founded by Jigoro Kano in Japan, who had studied various styles of jiu-jitsu in the late 19th century. He realised that the big problem with what he had learned was the training methodology. That resulted in Kano instituting a focus on 'randori' (live sparring), along with 'shiai' (a form of sanctioned competition). Kano also removed the so-called 'deadly' techniques from the jiu-jitsu he had studied (things like eye-gouges, groin strikes etc), which made randori and shiai much more viable.

That had the end result of considerably increasing efficacy: because those early judoka (judo practitioner) could train 'non-deadly' (in the sense that you don't have to fully crank an armbar, lock on a choke etc, as your opponent has the option of tapping before serious damage) techniques full-contact, they became highly proficient, and in fact more 'deadly' than their non-sparring contemporaries in what might be called 'self-defence' orientated styles. As John Danaher puts it in Mastering Jujitsu, "the deadly techniques favored by so many traditional martial arts have only a theoretical deadliness with little practical deadliness." (pp17-19). For more, see my historical summary.

Since Kano's innovations, judo has grown to become one of the biggest martial arts in the world today. There have also been changes to the average judo club's syllabus: thanks in large part to its inclusion in the Olympics, high amplitude throws are now the main focus of judo (as that is what wins competitions: the rules are geared toward throwing your opponent rather than grappling them on the ground). This means there is less time for 'newaza' (groundwork), although a good judo school will try to divide teaching equally between 'tachiwaza' (throws) and newaza. Most importantly, judoka still train randori against fully resisting opponents, so they get that essential feedback on whether their technique is effective or not.

A judoka, Mitsuyo Maeda (he's known by various names, but that's the most common), brought the art to Brazil in the early 20th century, where he taught it to the Gracie family. At the time, the name 'judo' wasn't set in stone, with people still referring to Kano's style as things like 'Kano jiu-jitsu'. Hence in Brazil, the term 'jiu-jitsu' stuck.

From judo, the Gracies developed their own variation of the style, which has become known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (in Brazil, its normally just referred to as 'jiu-jitsu'). Unlike judo, BJJ focused more on groundwork, so the evolution of the sport went in the other direction, with highly developed groundfighting, but less attention to throws. BJJ also retained the approach to live rolling, so as in judo, you test your technique against fully resisting opponents.

Judo has spread all across the world over the course of the 20th century, so there are numerous high level judoka teaching pretty much everywhere. That means that supply is high compared to demand, so you can normally find good quality judo relatively cheap. BJJ, on the other hand, has only got going internationally since Royce Gracie showed his stuff in UFC 1 back in 1993. BJJ instructors are therefore far less common, meaning that its a lot more expensive than judo (unless you're in Brazil, in which case BJJ has been there since 1925, so less costly).

If you can, its ideal to train both judo and BJJ, as that way you get great takedowns combined with awesome groundwork. However, if you have to choose between one or the other, your decision should depend on whether you prefer standing up or staying on the ground. Also, judo is usually more formal than BJJ, so if you don't like bowing and using Japanese terminology, judo may be a bad idea. They're both great grappling styles: for more info, see the Bullshido.com summaries on judo and BJJ.

What is the difference between SAMBO and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? ^

The short answer is that SAMBO, a Russian system, grew out of judo, so contains well-developed throws. It differs from judo and BJJ in its focus on lower-body submissions. Also, in SAMBO the typical training equipment is not the same as its parent art: practitioners wear shoes, a jacket (called a 'kurtka', comparable to a gi top) and shorts rather than a gi. Sport SAMBO does not include chokes, whereas the version known as 'combat SAMBO' does.

The long answer:

The story of SAMBO has certain similarities to the origins of BJJ, as like BJJ, SAMBO developed out of judo, but in Russia rather than Brazil. The individual responsible was Vasili Sergevich Oshchepkov, born on Sakhalin Island in 1892. In 1906, he was sent to a Russian Orthodox mission in Japan, later finding his way to the Kodokan during 1911. He would eventually earn his second dan in judo, and after three years, moved back to Russia. That same year, Oshchepkov opened the first ever Russian judo club, in Vladivostok.

In 1921, Oshchepkov went to work for the Red Army, introducing judo to Moscow eight years later. He organized Russia’s first judo tournament during 1932, then the following year published judo’s first Russian language rules. Unfortunately, a proposed competition between the Moscow and Leningrad teams in 1936 was prohibited by the Leningrad Sport Committee. Outraged, Oshchepkov wrote protests to various government offices, which led to his arrest. He was charged with being a 'Japanese spy' and sent to prison. In October 1937, he died from what was officially termed a "fit of angina." His students took the hint, and in November 1938, Anatoli Arcadievich Kharlampiev announced the invention of 'Soviet freestyle wrestling,' which coincidentally looked a lot like Russian-rules judo.

Following World War II, Stalin decided that the USSR would compete in the Olympics. Since the Olympics already had freestyle wrestling, in 1946 Soviet freestyle wrestling was officially renamed SAMBO (an acronym for "self-defense without weapons": in Russian, that is SAMozashcita Bez Oruzhiya). The chokes from judo were not included in what came to be known as 'sport SAMBO': according to this article, the reason may have been a desire to distance SAMBO from its Japanese origins.

The term SAMBO was thought up by Vladimir Spiridonov, who had studied catch-as-catch-can, Greco-Roman, and Mongol wrestling. Spiridonov had been developing a martial system concurrently to Oshchepkov, but the two strands later merged into what would become SAMBO. Spiridonov's background in various native wrestling styles meant that his version of the sport shifted from Oshchepkov's judo influences. That was further compounded by an injury Spiridonov had sustained in the past, leading him to favour low rather than high amplitude throws. While Oshchepkov could be said to be the father of sport SAMBO, Spiridonov is behind the military version, known as 'combat SAMBO'. This included chokes, along with weapons and striking. Despite his contributions, as he had been an officer in the Tsarist army, his major importance to SAMBO was later downplayed.

Between 1921 and the present, SAMBO has diverged significantly from judo. For example, SAMBO players wear tight jackets ('kurtka'), shorts and shoes ('sambovki'). In addition, they use mats instead of tatami: according to Kronos, this caused SAMBO coaches to stress groundwork and submission holds rather than high throws. Kronos also mentions the shift in philosophical emphasis from character development to sport and self-defence.

There has been some cross-over between SAMBO and BJJ, thanks to people like Rolls Gracie, who competed in SAMBO tournaments. The most important contribution has been SAMBO's emphasis on leglocks, submissions which for many years were frowned upon in BJJ. Instructors like Roy Harris learned from SAMBO, seeking to incorporate leglocks into the curriculum of their school: this has continued to his students, like Roy Dean.

It should be noted that by unfortunate coincidence, 'sambo' has been used as an offensive racist term in the past, meaning that the sport is sometimes instead referred to as 'SOMBO'. Alternately, because the Russian spelling in cyrillic characters is CAMБO, the term 'CAMBO' has also been used. See here for further discussion.

I'm out of shape: should I get fitter before starting? ^

While it certainly doesn't hurt to get fitter beforehand, it isn't necessary. I'd strongly advise you to dive right in and start BJJ, as your fitness and skill level will improve through attending class regularly. If you're holding off because you think you could do with a bit of preparation first, you may never get round to actually training.

On the topic of weight loss through BJJ, see this Fightworks Podcast episode for a good discussion. BJJ is a brilliant way to get in shape, and indeed the fitness is one of the main attractions for me: much easier to stay motivated through an engaging, complex sport like BJJ than by running on a treadmill.

Will getting stronger help my BJJ? ^

Building muscle can be a considerable benefit to your BJJ, particularly in competition. If your opponent is the same weight as you, but you're built like a powerlifter and they are carrying a lot of excess fat, your strength will be an advantage. Size and strength make a big difference, all other things being equal.

However, you should never rely upon strength: as the old adage goes, there is always someone bigger. If your style is very strength-based, and you come up against someone even stronger than you are, you have nothing to fall back on.

Therefore your main focus should be technique, and gaining the experience to develop good timing. That has the added bonus that while strength can fade as you get older, your technique and timing should be relatively unaffected by the encroaches of age.

Also keep in mind that if the hypothetical flabby competitor happens to have much better technique and timing than you do, your strength will not be enough to overcome them.

I get tired quickly when sparring: what can I do? ^

As I mentioned in my tips, a common mistake many beginners make is wasting a lot of energy when they spar, using as much strength as possible. This means that they quickly become fatigued, even if they're fit: trying to bench-press your opponent off you is not a sensible strategy.

If you find that you get tired quickly, the first thing you should do is focus on relaxing. Try to stay calm and technical, picking your moment carefully, conserving energy. Don't panic if you're caught in a bad position, and don't forget to breathe. If they end up tapping you, it doesn't matter: they'll find it much easier if you've expended all your strength.

In addition, you could try working on your fitness outside of class (though remember, BJJ is a great workout in itself, so with consistent, regular training, your fitness will improve). If you have the time to add further exercise into your schedule - such as swimming, running, etc - it is well worth doing, as long as you don't overtrain. Similarly, improving your diet and nutrition can be of great beneft.

However, if you aren't able to relax in sparring, then better cardio will simply mean you can struggle a little longer than before. As Roy Dean puts it on his DVD, the aim is better fuel economy rather than a bigger gas tank. While in an ideal situation you would have both, learning to relax and develop good timing is the more important goal of the two.

I started BJJ recently, but I'm getting frustrated with my lack of progress: how can I overcome this? ^

Don't worry: BJJ is difficult, so a lot of people get frustrated and demoralised. First thing to note is that the only person you should be measuring your progress against is yourself. Other people may train more often, have athletic ability, previous experience etc - although its natural to think "damn, that guy started the same time as me, I should be as good", think instead "how would the me of today fare against the me of last month?"

Focus on a small number of techniques and concentrate on just working those in sparring. It may even just be that you steadily work one tiny part of a particular technique - perhaps where you want your hands to be at a certain point - but that all contributes to eventually getting the technique right, and in turn means you're being constructive and have a clear goal to work towards.

I also find a technique-focused method of training helps with motivation, as its a useful way of ignoring ego: you're not thinking about 'winning' or 'losing', just making technical improvements. It doesn't matter if you get tapped along the way.

Following on from that, I'd strongly recommend keeping a training log. Personally, I've found doing so has been of massive benefit to my training: to copy what I wrote somewhere else, for a start it makes it easier to remember technique. The process of putting what you've just learned into words means you have to carefully think about exactly what you did in class. Even if your memory of it isn't that great, that will still mean you know specifically which parts you're unsure about, so can then ask your instructor next time you train.

That also helps with recollecting terminology, which I find can be a big problem in BJJ. Of course, that normally means you only learn the terminology used in your particular school, but still of benefit. Ideally, I'd like to be able to learn the most common terms used globally, as well as just in my school: it then becomes easier to search places like the net for hints and tips on specific techniques.

In addition to remembering technique, writing notes also means you can track your own progress, and identify what you feel you need to work on. As with writing up techniques, that then means you can concentrate on what went 'wrong', for want of a better word, asking your instructor and training partners how you could improve. So in effect, your notes become an action plan for the next sparring session.

Also, read this fantastic thread, if you haven't already.

What books and/or DVDs would you recommend for a beginner ^

As I advised earlier, books/DVDs should always remain supplemental to your training, rather than forming its basis. Keeping that in mind, there is some instructional material available which I feel would be helpful to any beginner.

The first BJJ book you should pick up is Mastering Jujitsu, by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher. That has the big advantage of not overwhelming you with a bunch of complex techniques, but instead taking a detailed look at principles and theory. It also covers the history of the sport, and has general advice on training. My full review up here.

Once you've read that, I'd say the next book to get is The Guard, by Ed Beneville and Joe Moreira. That is a lot more technique-heavy, but still keeps things simple, starting off with basic drills, gradually showing how to apply the fundamentals of BJJ (e.g., how shrimping is applicable to certain escapes/submissions etc). Carefully laid out, clearly explained and well-presented. My full review here.

In terms of DVDs, I can wholeheartedly endorse Roy Dean's Blue Belt Requirements for beginners. The 2 DVD set is a superb summary of the fundamental techniques and principles of Brazilian jiu jitsu. Dean is both eloquent and thorough, walking you through each technique while emphasising important details, before repeating the movement from multiple angles. My full review here.

A good follow-up to that would be the older Cesar Gracie instructional. That will provide you with some progression from the fundamentals you'll learn from Roy Dean, as well as reviewing those same basics. He is especially good on offensive combinations, rounding out the material from Dean's DVD.

Renzo/Kukuk is another option, though it hasn't stood up as well as Cesar Gracie's offering. Renzo and Kukuk's teaching is great, made even more accomplished by coupling it with vale tudo footage, showing you the application under pressure. It is also cheap: for example, you can currently pick it up here for $42, which is very worth it considering you get five hours of instruction. One thing to keep in mind is that this does look dated when it comes to guard passing and takedowns: that last forty minutes should be taken with a very large pinch of salt.

On the net, I would suggest the following:

BJJ vids by Rowan Cunningham
Roy Dean's YouTube channel
Aesopian.com
Grapplers Guide (a great resource, but note that unlike the others, this one requires paid membership)

I've found all of those personally useful in refining my technique, so can happily recommend them to others (again, presuming you're already attending class).

What are the belt ranks in BJJ? ^

Everyone starts at white, after which there are four more:

Blue
Purple
Brown
Black

There are also belts for children: grey, yellow, orange and green. Once the child has reached 16, they can become a blue belt.

The black belt has additional degree stripes, which are normally dependent on time. For example, the IBJJF mandates that once you have spent at least three years as a black belt, you can become a 1st degree. Not everyone is affiliated with that organisation, however, and therefore have their own system. For example, American Top Team gives out green belts to adults.

After several degrees of black belt, there is an honorary red and black belt, and finally a red belt. The highest level, 10th degree red belt, is restricted to the brothers of Carlos Gracie, as he and his siblings were the people responsible for originally developing the sport out of judo.

Why do some belts have stripes? ^

It takes a long time to achieve rank in BJJ (see here), the average being about a decade between white and black. Some schools break it up with stripes (normally from one to four), added to the black strip on a BJJ belt (due to the contrast between the black strip and white stripe, which therefore works for all belt colours).

Be aware that stripes are not used in a consistent fashion across all clubs. Where I train, stripes are mainly a matter of time, whereas in other clubs, its a direct reflection of skill. Also, sometimes the stripes aren't even white, but all sorts of colours. For example, I've been told that Rickson Gracie uses an entirely different system of stripes for his ranks, starting with a plain white belt, then a white belt with a blue stripe, blue belt, blue with a purple stripe etc.

Belts, on the other hand, are all about ability: your instructor will present you with a new belt when they can see you holding your own against the level above you in sparring. Competing can speed up this process.

How do I get a blue belt? ^

At the average school, with regular training, it will take between 1 to 2 years to go from white to blue. Some places, like Roy Harris, have a set curriculum, but this is rare: at most BJJ clubs, promotions are not standardised, so requirements vary. However, one constant is success in sparring against those of your current level and the ability to hold your own against the level above.

Speaking personally, I started in November 2006 and received my blue in February 2008, after 131.5 hours of training. Full details on my spreadsheet, and you could also look through the rest of this blog: I have detailed every lesson, so you can see exactly what I did to reach blue belt.

My general advice (I go into more detail here) is to concentrate on the basics, relax, and don't worry about who tapped who: in class, its learning, not 'winning' or 'losing'. The important thing is to develop technique and keep turning up to class on a consistent basis.

How long will it take to get a black belt? ^

A long time: commonly, it takes between 8-10 years to get to black belt. There are some famous examples of people who have got it much quicker, most notably BJ Penn, who took only three years.

However, in every case I've heard, they've had lots of natural talent and trained pretty much all the time. There is no shortcut to grappling skill, but if you have oodles of free time and money, plus you're sufficiently fit to train every day, it will be quicker. Be aware that its definitely possible to overtrain if you do that, as even if you have the time and money, your body may not be able to handle the intensity of BJJ every day.

Gracie Barra has minimum periods before promotion (though of course that is just one organisation: others have their own systems). Some people have wrongly misinterpreted the below schedule as somehow guaranteeing that you'll get your belt upon reaching that minimum. This is a misunderstanding: the table details the fastest you could possibly get your belt (e.g., a truly exceptional student who trains every day). The majority of BJJers will take longer.



Most people train between two to four times a week. If you keep training regularly with the right approach (my tips on that here), you may not get there as fast as Penn, but you will get there eventually. I wouldn't worry about belts: worry about developing the skill to deserve them.

I feel like I don't deserve my new belt: is that normal? ^

Yes, that's a common reaction after a belt promotion. In short, you need to trust your instructor's judgement: if you don't, then consider why you are still training there.

Don't worry about feeling inadequate if you just got promoted: when I got my blue, I felt the same way. Many people don't feel ready, but you will eventually grow into it. A few months after getting my blue, I got my first stripe, by which time I felt much more comfortable. Remember, you don't need to be smashing all the other people at your new rank (who will most likely have been there much longer), just able to hold your own.

People also often mention the way that sometimes you feel there is a target painted on your back after a new belt: the assumption is that everyone who didn't get promoted will now be gunning for you. If that happens, then just keep in mind that there are plenty of good lower belts able to tap higher belts. Some lower belts are on the cusp of being promoted, or may have perfected a few especially effective techniques, which means that while their overall game is incomplete, they can still occasionally catch higher belts.

"Damn, he's only a white belt, I CAN'T tap to him!" is not a productive way to approach sparring (brilliant discussion of that problem here, by NSLightsOut). This kind of misplaced pride will lead to frustration, and quite possibly injury as well. Nobody likes to tap, but it happens, and you should cultivate a mindset that means you can smile, restart and try again. My mantra has always been that training is about learning, not 'winning' or 'losing': as long as you improve your technique, it doesn't matter if you get tapped along the way.

Have a read of this and possibly this for some examples of people who felt the same way.

I've injured myself, but don't want to stop training: should I go to class? ^

Seeing a medical professional to check injuries is always a good idea before going back to class (also remember the R.I.C.E. treatment method: rest, ice, compress and elevate). Is it worth potentially messing it up further? Or alternately, wouldn't it be better to have it heal faster? A doctor, physio etc will be able to help you get back to training quicker. When there is obviously something wrong, I'd strongly urge you to get it looked at.

Of course, I'm in the UK, so I'm not familiar with the costs of US healthcare. Nevertheless, while it can be difficult to earn back money you've spent, its impossible to get back time you could have been training: do not attempt to train through an injury, as you'll only make things worse. Don't try to be macho and tough it out.

Having said that, depending on the degree of the injury, there are things you can do so you don't miss out completely on training. If its something minor, then it is possible to train around it: for example, say you've hurt the fingers on your left hand. Tape them up, then go to class but only use your right hand. That means that you'll have to sit out when doing things like press-ups (or do sit-ups instead), and it also means you'll have to be very careful in picking your training partners: you need people you can trust to not accidentally forget about the injury and make it worse.

If the injury is something sufficiently major that you can't avoid aggravating it, then you could still go to class and watch, taking notes when the instructor demonstrates technique. You could also take the opportunity to do some reading or watch a few BJJ DVDs: see here for my recommendations, or you could browse through my review section.

I'm worried about getting cauliflower ear: how do I avoid it? ^

I'd recommend checking out the Fightworks Podcast interview with a doctor who also has experience in BJJ. On that same site, there was also a post put up about the same topic. See also the article on Grapplearts.

Cauliflower ear, to quote from Caleb's post, is caused "when the ear receives a blow that shears away the ear’s cartilage from its overlying perichondrium. Liquid fills the new space between the two layers, and will harden into a hard fibrous lump if not drained."

So in other words, any kind of heavy trauma to the ear can result in a cauliflower ear: that could be a small number of solid blows (again in that post, Robson Moura mentions that he got cauli after just one incident, so you could be unlucky), or it could be extended damage (such as driving the side of your head into someone else, as might occur when working for position in wrestling).

To prevent cauliflower ear, invest in protective equipment, like a headguard or earguards (since September 2008, I've used a Brute Shockwave), commonly worn in wrestling. However, some people find them uncomfortable to wear, and in certain BJJ competitions (for example) you can't wear them.

To treat cauliflower ear, you need to get the fluid drained and then compress the area. It is important to go to a doctor as soon as possible if you can see your ear is flaring up, as without rapid treatment it can become permanent. It may help if you describe it in medically correct terms as an 'aural hematoma' in order to facilitate quicker treatment.

I've been training BJJ since November 2006 and haven't had any problems with cauliflower ear so far, but as the example of Robson Moura shows, it can happen quickly, so its worth being careful.

What is staph, and how can I avoid it? ^

Staph is a bacterial infection which is a particular problem for contact sports like BJJ, which involves rolling around on sweaty mats. It can potentially be fatal, so its important to be aware of the risk. You may have also heard of MRSA, a particularly dangerous strain of staph.

Like I mentioned in my tips, make sure you maintain good hygiene. Shower after class, and always wash your gi after every use. If you suspect infection (it normally manifests initially as raised red bumps: see the various links below for pictures), consult a doctor immediately, and under no circumstances go to training. Remember, staph is infectious, which will make you a very unpopular person at the gym.

Jason Clarke has written a very thorough, educated post on his blog: very good information in there. You could also check the Fightworks Podcast, which has a few useful episodes discussing staph, here, here and here. Caleb, the host, also put up a post about the infection, from which I'll quote:

The fact is that MRSA is an issue for all of us on the mat. If you’re not aware of MRSA, you may’ve heard of it referred to simply as “staph”. It’s appeared on a couple seasons of The Ultimate Fighter on SpikeTV (sometimes publicly, sometimes less so) and is an especially nasty type of staph infection that is transmitted through the skin and spreads in environments where there’s a lot of close human contact, like that among wrestlers, grapplers, and other team sports environments. Unfortunately it’s not as simple as ringworm, as MRSA can kill if not treated. It’s resistant to the normal first line antibiotics prescribed by physicians, and as such is more insidious because while patients and doctors believe the normal antibiotic is working, the infection continues to spread.

See also this Bullshido thread and this one on Sherdog. Investing in some kind of anti-bacterial soap or cream may also be a good idea: personally I use Savlon on any open abrasions or cuts just in case, but there are more specific treatments out there.

I'm a small person who finds it tough against bigger people: what can I do? ^

At 5'7 and 64kg (143lbs), I'm almost always the smaller guy, so can sympathise. Against bigger guys, you're probably going to spend a lot of time on the bottom, especially early on. So you might as well treat that as an opportunity rather than an irritation, working your escapes every chance you get.

Once you get good at escaping, you'll be far less worried about making an attack, because you'll be confident you can recover if you mess it up. In other works, by building a good defence, you have a solid foundation to build a good offence.

Also, remember that in competition, you'll be up against people your own size. After sparring with all the big people in class, that is going to feel much easier.

Finally, take a look at this and this thread, along with this and this article, for some further ideas.

I'm a big person, so find it difficult to avoid using my strength: what should I do? ^

I'm a small guy, so don't have direct experience of this, but I'd advise that you try to work your guard. From what I've read and seen in class, big people will frequently end up on top. As you've got size over your opponent, its easy to get comfortable with going on top and dominating your opponent.

However, with your size, you're in a great position to develop an excellent guard. There was an Eddie Bravo video where he discusses this which I found interesting: you might find it useful (the comments I'm referring to start at about 01:40 into the video, though there is plenty of good advice in the rest of it too).



Then there's the general advice to avoid using strength, which is something you should always keep in mind. To help you do that, you could try working your weak side, or use techniques you're unfamiliar with. Give your partner a dominant position like mount and try to work free, or even start with them in back mount about to sink in a choke.

Finally, take a look at this thread for some further ideas.

What if I have long hair, jewellery or piercings? ^

Long hair will need to be tied back in some fashion. Hair ties often come undone, so you could try braiding your hair for better containment. There are many people where I train who have long hair, but generally it can become a hindrance because it will often escape its bonds. I'd advise a shorter haircut if possible, simply because it is much easier to manage. However, nothing wrong with long hair in training as long as you have adequate methods to keep it under control.

For some ideas, take a look at this thread. Wrestling headgear can also be helpful for keeping your long hair under control, particularly if you use something like Brute Shockwave, but I'm not sure if that has a similar add-on for keeping long hair under control).

Wearing jewellery in class is a bad idea. It could be caught on a finger, toe or possibly an item of clothing, meaning that either the finger or toe will be damaged, or the jewellery could be ripped out or pulled off. I would strongly advise you to take off jewellery, piercings etc before training, especially sparring. Otherwise you may cause harm to yourself and your training partners.

What is a good style to cross-train with BJJ? ^

BJJ will provide you with excellent groundwork, but it doesn't cover strikes. If you want to round out your training, then I'd suggest muay thai (which you'll also see as 'thai boxing'), or martial arts like boxing and kyokushin karate. That's not to say there aren't good schools within other striking styles, but they tend to vary widely in quality. Boxing, muay thai and kyokushin are almost always reliable options. Take a look at the striking technique subforum on Bullshido for more advice.

If you want to stick with grappling, then I'd recommend taking up judo, the parent art of BJJ. That will add solid takedowns to your BJJ, which is especially useful for competition: a strong judo background will help you to control the stand-up, particularly as many BJJers are far more comfortable on the ground than they are with throws (though as more BJJers cross-train in takedown-orientated styles, this is beginning to change).

SAMBO (short for SAMozashcita Bez Oruzhiya, which means "self defence without weapons"), a Russian system which also evolved from judo, is another option. Like its parent, this style has good throws, but differs from judo and BJJ in its focus on lower-body submissions. While leg locks are present in BJJ, they are not always emphasised, so SAMBO would provide you with a different set of options.

If its available in your area (particularly if you're in the US education system), I'd recommend checking out wrestling. Like SAMBO and judo, wrestling has great takedowns, but also specialises in the top position, as the goal is to pin your opponent on their back.

Alternately, you could combine grappling and striking at an MMA gym (though technically 'MMA' is a ruleset rather than a specific style). Examples of well known MMA gyms would be Team Quest and Miletich Fighting Systems.

I'm planning a trip to go train in Brazil: any advice? ^

I haven't been to Brazil, but the guys from the Fightworks Podcast have: plenty of advice on there. This episode features discussion about Felipe Costa's training camp (also mentioned here), then there are posts like this about Rio, and this conversation with Breno Sivak.

Finally, there's a series of ten top tips for training in Brazil, split across two shows, here and here.

Several threads around on the internet too. For example, this one on Sherdog, with lots of anecdotes from a guy who trained at Gordo's academy in Barra for several months.

Should I use 'dirty' (but still legal) tactics in class? ^

I'd say it depends on your training partner - some people won't mind 'dirty' fighting, others will. Remember, you'll probably be rolling with these men and women for a long time to come, so it makes sense to build up a good working relationship, so to speak. You don't want to piss everyone off, as then nobody wants to roll with you. A good training partner makes a massive difference in improving your BJJ, so you want to hold onto them when you find one.

Things may be different in competition. Although personally, in competition or in class (though I'd note here I've only competed once), I try to avoid anything 'dirty', as I want to be sure that when I manage to get anything to 'work' in BJJ, its because I've got the technique right, not because my stubble was raking their face.

This question has come up on Sherdog before, which is where I previously posted the above response.




Sources: My personal experience, Roger Gracie Academy, Bullshido, Kronos, Sherdog, Grapplers Guide, The Fightworks Podcast, Stephen Koepfer

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